ArborProof

Fact-checking tree companies.

Richmond Hill, Ontario · Updated September 2026

Best Tree Services in Richmond Hill

The three highest-scoring tree companies that serve Richmond Hill, ranked by LEAF Score. Every company in Ontario is checked the same way, on insurance coverage, arborist credentials, experience and reviews. No company can pay to be at the top of this page.

22companies serve Richmond Hill
13with WSIB clearance confirmed
3.8average leaves here

Richmond Hill’s top 3 by LEAF Score

1

Cinerea Urban Forestry Services

Serves Richmond Hill, Toronto, Markham, Vaughan and Aurora

5.0 · 137 Google reviewsWSIB clearance confirmed · to Nov 19, 2026
Verified by BusinessThe business confirmed these details on October 25, 2026.

Specializations

Tree removal (small)Tree removal (large)Tree pruning (small)Tree pruning (large)Hedge trimming (medium and large)Stump grinding (small)Stump grinding (large)Tree planting (small)Tree planting (large)Cabling & bracingFertilizationHydro line clearance24/7 emergency serviceCrane servicesOn-site consultationLegal / bylaw dispute assistanceArborist reportsTree protection plansTree risk assessmentTree appraisalAir excavationPest & disease treatmentLand clearingEducation and advocacyWood chips - UNrefined - LARGE quantityWood chips - Refined - LARGE quantity

Pricing

Arborist reportsStarting at $375
Tree protection plansStarting at $900
Tree risk assessmentStarting at $900
Confirmed by the businessNot listed by the business
Visit websiteFull profile →
10/10LEAF Score

Score breakdown

10+ Google reviews137 Google reviews
5+ years in business10 years in business
Employs a Certified Arborist1 ISA Certified Arborist (including Board Certified Master Arborists)
Employs a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification holder1 with Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
Mark Ellis, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification See certificate →
Employs a Board Certified Master Arborist1 Board Certified Master Arborist
Mark Ellis, Board Certified Master Arborist, ON-1686BM See certificate →
Certificate of insurance on fileValid until March 18, 2027
We have verified insurance this year, but the policy may have changed. Verify with the company.
Valid WSIB clearanceWSIB clearance confirmed
Matched WSIB account: MARK ELLIS / CINEREA URBAN FORESTRY SERVICES See certificate →
Transparent pricingPricing posted
Verified their own listingConfirmed by the business
Founded in CanadaFounded in Canada
2

Shady Lane Expert Tree Care

Serves Richmond Hill, Markham, Toronto and Vaughan

4.9 · 569 Google reviewsWSIB clearance confirmed · to Nov 19, 2026
Not yet verified by the businessThese details come from our own research. Is this your business? Claim this listing

Specializations

Tree removal (small)Tree removal (large)Tree pruning (small)Tree pruning (large)Hedge trimming (medium and large)Stump grinding (small)Stump grinding (large)Tree planting (small)Tree planting (large)Cabling & bracingFertilizationHydro line clearance24/7 emergency serviceCrane servicesOn-site consultationLegal / bylaw dispute assistanceArborist reportsTree protection plansTree risk assessmentTree appraisalAir excavationPest & disease treatmentLand clearingEducation and advocacyWood chips - UNrefined - LARGE quantityWood chips - Refined - LARGE quantity
Inferred from our research — not yet confirmed by the businessNot inferred — ask directly
Visit websiteFull profile →
6/10LEAF Score

Score breakdown

50+ Google reviews569 Google reviews
5+ years in business48 years in business
Employs a Certified Arborist3 ISA Certified Arborists
Jonathan Arnold, Certified Arborist, ON-1019A See certificate →
Mark Vanderwouw, Certified Arborist, ON-0131A See certificate →
Allan Hillock, Certified Arborist
Employs a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification holder1 with Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
Mark Vanderwouw, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification See certificate →
Employs a Board Certified Master ArboristNone confirmed
Certificate of insurance on fileNot posted
Valid WSIB clearanceWSIB clearance confirmed
Matched WSIB account: SHADY LANE EXPERT TREE CARE INC See certificate →
Transparent pricingNot posted
Verified their own listingNot yet confirmed
Founded in CanadaFounded in Canada
3

Any Height Tree Service

Serves Richmond Hill, North York, Toronto and Vaughan

5.0 · 115 Google reviewsWSIB clearance confirmed · to Nov 19, 2026
Not yet verified by the businessThese details come from our own research. Is this your business? Claim this listing

Specializations

Tree removal (small)Tree removal (large)Tree pruning (small)Tree pruning (large)Hedge trimming (medium and large)Stump grinding (small)Stump grinding (large)Tree planting (small)Tree planting (large)Cabling & bracingFertilizationHydro line clearance24/7 emergency serviceCrane servicesOn-site consultationLegal / bylaw dispute assistanceArborist reportsTree protection plansTree risk assessmentTree appraisalAir excavationPest & disease treatmentLand clearingEducation and advocacyWood chips - UNrefined - LARGE quantityWood chips - Refined - LARGE quantity
Inferred from our research — not yet confirmed by the businessNot inferred — ask directly
Visit websiteFull profile →
6/10LEAF Score

Score breakdown

50+ Google reviews115 Google reviews
5+ years in business7 years in business
Employs a Certified Arborist1 ISA Certified Arborist
Isaac Lebovits, Certified Arborist See certificate →
Employs a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification holder1 with Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
Isaac Lebovits, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification See certificate →
Employs a Board Certified Master ArboristNone confirmed
Certificate of insurance on fileNot posted
Valid WSIB clearanceWSIB clearance confirmed
Matched WSIB account: ANY HEIGHT TREE SERVICES INC. See certificate →
Transparent pricingNot posted
Verified their own listingNot yet confirmed
Founded in CanadaFounded in Canada

Ties are broken by number of credentials (each Certified Arborist, Board Certified Master Arborist and Tree Risk Assessment Qualification holder counts, so someone with two counts twice), then Google reviews. Any Height Tree Service and P & A Urban Forestry Consulting Ltd. are tied at 6/10 leaves.

More companies serving Richmond Hill

4P & A Urban Forestry Consulting Ltd.Richmond Hill · 4.9 from 10 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed6/105Beautiful Trees IncCaledon · 4.8 from 28 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed5/1067 Oaks Tree Care & Urban Forestry Consultants Inc.Richmond Hill · 5.0 from 1 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB not confirmed4/107Timberscapes Tree & Plant ServicesGeorgina · 4.9 from 373 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed4/108Al Miley & AssociatesToronto · 4.8 from 130 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed4/10See all 22 companies serving Richmond Hill on the map →
A year strip of months showing the dormant season as best for pruning live branches, the spring growth flush as the time to avoid heavy pruning, and dead or hazardous limbs removable any time.
Homeowner question

Does it matter when a tree gets pruned?

If the branches are dead or truly hazardous, then to protect your health and safety, it doesn't matter. Do it any time of the year. For live branches it is best done before the spring growth flush, when wounds close the fastest.

Before you cut

Richmond Hill’s private tree rules

Permit needed across the city

Since April 2025, Richmond Hill requires a permit to remove or injure any private tree with a trunk 15 cm or wider, measured 1.4 m off the ground. Replacement trees are protected at any size.

Whole city

Permit for trees 15 cm and up

Tree Preservation By-law 19-25 (in force April 23, 2025) lowered the size trigger from 20 cm to 15 cm. Trees planted as replacements need a permit at any size.

Whole city

Replant or pay per tree

Permits usually require replacement trees: 1 for a 15–20 cm tree, rising to 7 for a tree 101 cm or wider. If you can't plant, cash-in-lieu is $945 per tree (2026).

Whole city

Light pruning is allowed

Pruning that removes no more than 20% of a tree's live branches and leaves in 12 months does not need a permit.

City-owned trees

City trees are handled by the City

Trees on City land, including street trees, are not covered by this permit and are managed by the City. Call Access Richmond Hill for pruning or removal requests.

All of York Region

Woodlands need a Region permit

Trees in woodlands covered by York Region's Forest Conservation By-law are excluded from the City by-law. Treed areas over 0.2 ha need a York Region permit.

Anywhere in Ontario

Trees on a property line

A tree whose trunk sits on the line belongs to both neighbours. Ontario’s Forestry Act says you need your neighbour’s consent before removing or injuring it.

Size limits, fees, replacement trees and exemptions
Which trees need a permit
15 cm trunk width, measured 1.4 m off the ground
Permit fee
2026: $314 + HST for the first tree, $109 + HST each additional tree, maximum $859 + HST per application; cash-in-lieu $945 per replacement tree.
Replacement trees
By trunk size of the removed tree: 15–20 cm = 1 tree; 21–40 cm = 2; 41–50 cm = 3; 51–70 cm = 4; 71–90 cm = 5; 91–100 cm = 6; 101 cm+ = 7. Cash-in-lieu $945 per tree (2026). Securities may be required before the permit is issued.
Common exemptions
  • Pruning of 20% or less of live tissue in 12 months
  • Nurseries, active tree farms and cultivated orchards
  • Trees inside buildings, solariums or rooftop gardens
  • Trees removed under approved subdivision/site plan conditions
  • Utility work
  • Woodlands regulated by York Region

Not sure if you need a permit?

Ask the municipality before any work starts. A good tree company will also check for you and tell you who applies for the permit.

Access Richmond Hill

905-771-8800Official information page →

Summary checked September 2026. It’s a plain-language guide, not legal advice. Bylaws change, so confirm with the municipality before you remove a tree.

Sources
A gutter with a guard on top. Wet leafs pile up on the guard and carry rain water over the front edge of the gutter instead of into it, so guards still need to be cleared from time to time.
Homeowner question

Do gutter guards work against leafs?

They can help, but it is important to understand that they are not a cure-all. Having a gutter guard does not mean the gutters will never need to be inspected and cleared of leafs from time to time.

This is particularly the case when leafs get wet and accumulate. The leafs can sit on the gutter guard and act as a bridge, carrying the water right over the top of the gutter.

Before you hire

What to check before you hire a tree service

Tree work is dangerous, and it’s expensive to fix when it goes wrong. Six questions worth asking any company, including the ones on this page.

  1. Ask for a WSIB clearance certificate and proof of liability insurance

    Tree work is one of the most dangerous jobs out there. We do our best on our end, but these certificates can change before we have a chance to update them. Some good companies will give them to you without you even having to ask. Bonus!

  2. Find out who will actually do the work

    You may get a Certified Arborist as your salesperson, but will the same be true of the person who works on your property? You won't know until you ask. A Certified Arborist may cost more, but it can cost a lot more if the work is done wrong and the tree dies early or your property is damaged.

  3. Get the quote in writing

    It should say exactly which trees, and whether cleanup, wood removal, stump grinding and so on are included. The more detailed the quote, the better.

  4. Ask who handles the permit

    If a bylaw applies, agree up front who applies for the permit and who pays the fee. Removing a protected tree without one usually means a fine for the property owner, not the tree company.

  5. If money is tight, try this

    See if the work can be scheduled in a slower season for a lower price. Clear obstacles (fences, gates, lawn ornaments, plants) before the crew arrives. Find someone online, such as on Facebook Marketplace, who will take the wood for free. Or change the scope of work, for example pruning only the lower half of the tree instead of the whole tree.

  6. Trees near power lines are a utility job

    If branches touch or come close to a hydro line, call your local hydro utility (the one on your electricity bill) first. Only crews the utility approves can work near power lines.

A year strip of months. Late summer to early fall is the best time to plant, spring is acceptable with a little more risk, and midsummer planting is the greatest risk because the tree may not be watered.
Homeowner question

When is the best time to plant a tree?

The goal is usually to give the tree as much time to establish as possible before summer drought. Therefore, late summer to early fall is the best time of year. Spring is acceptable as well; it just carries a little more risk. Summer planting is the greatest risk to the tree, in part because many Ontarians vacation and the tree may not get watered while they are away.

Tree services near Richmond Hill

VaughanMarkhamAuroraNewmarketTorontoPickering

LEAF Scores reflect public records and research on the date checked. Always confirm insurance, certification and WSIB coverage directly with a company before you hire it.